Arrow feeding device for crossbow

ABSTRACT

An arrow feeding device for a crossbow includes a magazine mounted to the crossbow and includes a storage space which opens through the magazine from the top to the open bottom of the magazine. Multiple arrows are loaded in the storage space. A retainer is pivotably connected to the magazine and normally presses the arrows in the storage space so that the lowest arrow of the arrows in the storage space is fed into the barrel of the crossbow in sequence. The users shoot the arrow without repeatedly lowering the crossbow and loading the arrows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fields of the Invention

The present invention relates to a crossbow, and more particularly, to an arrow feeding device for a crossbow to feed the arrows one by one without repeatedly loading the arrows to the crossbow.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

The conventional way to use the crossbow is to load an arrow t the flight groove on the barrel of the crossbow, and then cocking the arrow to pull the string. When pulling the trigger, the arrow is shot by the recovery force of the string. Then the user has to lower the crossbow and picks another arrow to load the arrow onto the crossbow as the steps mentioned previously. However, these repeated steps break the temple of the shooters and the crossbow has to be removed from the shooting position for reloading another arrow.

The present invention intends to provide an arrow feeding device for a crossbow to feed the arrows one by one without repeatedly loading the arrows to the crossbow. The present invention effectively eliminate shortcomings mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arrow feeding device for a crossbow. The arrow feeding device includes a magazine mounted to the crossbow and includes a storage space which opens through the magazine from the top to the open bottom of the magazine. Multiple arrows are loaded in the storage space. A retainer is pivotably connected to the magazine and normally presses the arrows in the storage space so that the lowest arrow of the arrows in the storage space is fed into the barrel of the crossbow in sequence.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an arrow feeding device wherein the arrows are stored in the magazine. The lowest arrow of the arrows in the storage space of the magazine is fed into the barrel of the crossbow in sequence. The users are able to continuously shoot the arrow without repeatedly lowering the crossbow and loading the arrows.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the crossbow and the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the crossbow and the magazine of the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows the storage space of the magazine of the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view, taken along line V-V in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view to show that the string is pulled toward the rear end of the barrel, and the lowest arrow is restricted from entering the barrel of the crossbow;

FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view to show that the string reaches the trigger assembly and pivots the stop;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view to show that the string is restricted, and the lowest arrow enters into the barrel of the crossbow;

FIG. 8 shows that the press member is moved to release the safety status, and the ball is moved to engage the second notch;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view to show that the trigger is pulled and the passive member is pivoted so that the stop is pivoted by the string;

FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view to show that the string drives the arrow, and

FIG. 10 shows that the magazine includes an aiming member connected to the top thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9A, the arrow feeding device for a crossbow of the present invention comprises a magazine 3 mounted to the top of the crossbow 1. A storage space 31 is defined through the magazine 3 from the top of the magazine 3 to the open bottom of the magazine 3. Multiple arrows 2 are loaded in the storage space 31. A retainer 4 includes a first end pivotably connected to the magazine 3 and located in the storage space 31. A second end of the retainer 4 normally presses the arrows 2 in the storage space 31 to ensure that the lowest arrow 2 enters into the barrel 11 of the crossbow 1 in sequence. Specifically, an end piece 311 is located at one end of the storage space 31. The end piece 311 includes a first recess 312. The first end of the retainer 4 includes a second recess 41. Two ends of a compressing spring 5 are respectively engaged with the first and second recesses 312, 41. The compressing spring 5 biases the retainer 4 so that the second end of the retainer 4 normally presses the top arrow of the arrows 2 in the storage space 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the storage space 31 of the magazine 3 includes a first section 313, a second section 314 and a third section 315. The second section 314 is located between the first section 313 and the third section 315. The first, second and third sections 313, 314, 315 communicate with each other. An opening of the second section 314 is formed on the top of the magazine 3 and is narrower than that of each of the first and third section 313, 315. Each arrow 2 includes a head 21, a tail 22 and a shank 23 which is formed between the head 21 and the tail 22. The head 21 of the arrow 2 is located in the first section 313. The tail 22 of the arrow 2 is located in the third section 315. The shank 23 of the arrow 2 is located in the second section 314. The shank 23 of the arrow 2 contacts two sidewalls of the second section 314, such that all of the arrows 2 in the space 31 is positioned as expected and do not tilt. By this arrangement, the arrows 2 can be fed stably and correctly as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A.

There are two ways to pull the string 122, and the present invention can be used with any of the two known ways to pull the string 122. The crossbow 1 includes the barrel 11, a bow assembly 12 and a trigger assembly 13. The barrel 11 includes a front end 111 and a rear end 112. A groove 113 is defined in the top of the front end 111 of the barrel 11. The magazine 3 is mounted to the barrel 11 and located above the groove 113. A slot 114 is formed between the magazine 3 and the barrel 11. The bow assembly 12 includes a bow 121 and a string 122 which is connected between two ends of the bow 121. The bow 121 is fixed to the barrel 11, and the string 122 extends through the slot 114, so that the string 122 can be pulled within the slot 114. The trigger assembly 13 is connected to the barrel 11 and located close to the rear end 112 of the barrel 11. The trigger assembly 13 includes a case 131, a press member 132, a passive member 133, a trigger 14, a stop 15, a torsion spring 16 and a first spring 17. The case 131 includes a room 134. A first opening 135 and a second opening 136 are formed to the case 131 and communicate with the room 134. A block 137 extends from inside of the room 134. A portion of the case 131 protrudes from the barrel 11. The magazine 3 includes a chamber 32 which does not communicate with the storage space 31. The portion of the case 131 protruding from the barrel 11 is accommodated in the chamber 32 of the magazine 3 so as to prevent foreign objects from entering to affect the operation of the press member 132 and the passive member 133.

The press member 132 is an inverted L-shaped member which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from one end of the first portion. The first portion of the press member 132 is located between the block 137 and the inside of the room 134. The press member 132 includes a first notch 132A and a second notch 132B respectively facing the block 137. The block 137 includes a ball 18 which is biased by a first spring 17 which is located in the block 137. The ball 18 is selectively engaged with the first notch 132A or the second notch 132B.

The trigger 14 has a first end pivotably connected in the room 134, and a second end of the trigger 14 extends beyond the second opening 136 of the case 131. The passive member 133 is pivotably located in the room 134, and located between the press member 132 and trigger 14. The passive member 133 is located on the trigger 14 and contacts the press member 132. The passive member 133 contacts the distal end of the second portion of the press member 132. A second spring 181 is biased between the passive member 133 and the block 137. The stop 15 is pivotably connected to the case 131 by a first pin 19 and is located in the room 134. The first end of the stop 15 normally contacts the passive member 133, and the second end of the stop 15 extends beyond the first opening 135. It is noted that the stop 15 includes a U-shaped opening which is used to avoid from touching the lowest arrow 2 to be lowered. A second pin 191 is located in the room 134 and beside the first pin 19. The torsion spring 16 includes two ends which are respectively mounted to the first and second pins 19, 191. The torsion spring 15 provides a force to return the stop 15 to its initial position after the stop 15 is pivoted. The press member 132 includes two rods 132C respectively extending from two sides thereof. The two rods 132C extend beyond the case 131 and are movably located in the slot 114. When the two rods 132C are shifted to move the press member 132, the ball 18 is moved to be engaged with one of the first and second notches 132A, 132B.

The case 131 includes a first part 131A and a second part 131B which is mounted to the first part 131 to from the room 134. The first part 131A and the second part 131B each have an elongate hole 131C, and the two rods 132C extend through the elongate holes 131C and are moveable in the slot 114. The movement of the rods 132C controls the movement of the press member 132 and shifts the ball 18 to be engaged with one of the first and second notches 132A, 132B.

When in use, the retainer 4 is pivoted upward from the storage space 31, and loading arrows 2 into the storage space 31. The retainer 4 is released to press the arrows 2. The string 122 is located close to the front end 111 and stops the arrow 2 to be lowered toward the barrel 11. The string 122 is then pulled in the slot 114 and toward the rear end 112 of the barrel 11. The string 122 then touches and pivots the stop 15. After the string 122 moves over the stop 15, the stop 15 returns to its initial position by the recovery force of the torsion spring 16. The string 122 is restricted from shooting by the stop 15. The lowest arrow 2 in the storage space 31 enters into the groove 113 of the barrel 11 because of the string 122 does not restricts the arrow 2 to be lowered. It is noted that the string 122 is restricted from shooting by the stop 15 because the ball 18 is engaged with the first notch 132A, and the press member 132 and the passive member 133 contact and restrict each other. Therefore, the passive member 133 cannot pivot, and the passive 133 restricts the stop 15 to pivot, so as to restrict the string 122 from shooting.

After the arrow 2 is located in the groove 113 of the barrel 11, the user push the rods 132C to move the press member 132 toward the front end 111 of the barrel 11 to remove the ball 18 from the first notch 132A, and the ball 18 is shifted to be engaged with the second notch 132B. Therefore, the press member 132 is released, and the passive member 133 is pivotable. The user then aim the target and pulls the trigger 14 which pivots the passive member 133 as shown in FIG. 9. The pivotal movement of the passive member 133 releases the stop 15 so that the string 122 pivots the stop 15 as shown in FIG. 9. The string 122 then shoots the arrow 2. By repeating the steps mentioned above, the lowest arrow 2 enters into the groove 113 so that the user is able to shoot continuously.

As shown in FIG. 10, the magazine 3 may have an aiming member 6 connected to the top thereof, wherein the aiming member 6 is located close to the rear end 112 of the barrel 11.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An arrow feeding device for a crossbow, comprising: a magazine mounted to a top of the crossbow, a storage space defined through the magazine from a top of the magazine to an open bottom of the magazine, multiple arrows loaded in the storage space; a retainer having a first end pivotably connected to the magazine and located in the storage space, a second end of the retainer normally pressing the arrows in the storage space, wherein the arrows in the storage space is fed into a barrel of the crossbow in sequence.
 2. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage space of the magazine includes a first section, a second section and a third section, the second section is located between the first section and the third section, the first, second and third sections communicate with each other, each arrow includes a head, a tail and a shank which is formed between the head and the tail, the head of the arrow is located in the first section, the tail of the arrow is located in the third section, the shank of the arrow is located in the second section, an opening of the second section formed on the top of the magazine is narrower than that of each of the first and third section, the shank of the arrow contacts two sidewalls of the second section.
 3. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end piece is located at one end of the storage space, the end piece includes a first recess, the first end of the retainer includes a second recess, two ends of a compressing spring are respectively engaged with the first and second recesses, the compressing spring biases the retainer so that the second end of the retainer normally presses the arrows in the storage space.
 4. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein an end piece is located at one end of the storage space, the end piece includes a first recess, the first end of the retainer includes a second recess, two ends of a compressing spring are respectively engaged with the first and second recesses, the compressing spring biases the retainer so that the second end of the retainer normally presses the arrows in the storage space.
 5. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crossbow includes the barrel, a bow assembly and a trigger assembly, the barrel includes a front end and a rear end, a groove is defined in a top of the front end of the barrel, the magazine is mounted to the barrel and located above the groove, a slot is formed between the magazine and the barrel, the bow assembly includes a bow and a string which is connected between two ends of the bow, the bow is fixed to the barrel, the string extends through the slot, the trigger assembly is connected to the barrel and located close to the rear end of the barrel, the trigger assembly includes a case, a press member, a passive member, a trigger, a stop, a torsion spring and a first spring, the case includes a room, a first opening and a second opening are formed to the case and communicate with the room, a block extends from an inside of the room, the press member is an inverted L-shaped member which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from one end of the first portion, the first portion of the press member is located between the block and the inside of the room, the press member includes a first notch and a second notch respectively facing the block, the block includes a ball which is biased by a first spring which is located in the block, the ball is selectively engaged with the first notch or the second notch, the trigger has a first end pivotably connected in the room, a second end of the trigger extends beyond the second opening of the case, the passive member is pivotably located in the room, and located between the press member and trigger, the passive member is located on the trigger and contacts the press member, the passive member contacts a distal end of the second portion of the press member, a second spring is biased between the passive member and the block, the stop is pivotably connected to the case by a first pin and is located in the room, a first end of the stop normally contacts the passive member, a second end of the stop extends beyond the first opening, a second pin is located in the room and beside the first pin, the torsion spring includes two ends which are respectively mounted to the first and second pins, the torsion spring returns the stop to an initial position.
 6. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the press member includes two rods respectively extending from two sides thereof, the two rods extend beyond the case and are movably located in the slot, when the two rods are shifted to move the press member, the ball 18 is moved to be engaged with one of the first and second notches.
 7. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the case includes a first part and a second part which is mounted to the first part to from the room, the first part and the second part each have an elongate hole, the two rods extend through the elongate holes.
 8. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a portion of the case protrudes from the barrel, the magazine includes a chamber, the portion of the case protruding from the barrel is accommodated in the chamber of the magazine.
 9. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magazine includes an aiming member connected to a top thereof, the aiming member is located close to a rear end of the barrel.
 10. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the magazine includes an aiming member connected to a top thereof, the aiming member is located close to the rear end of the barrel. 